Telecoms tariff hike will stifle freedom of expression, HURIWA warns

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticised move by telecommunications operators in the country to hike tariff. HURIWA referred to a planned 40 per cent hike in tariffs, which they claimed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved, but which the regulator had denied.

HURIWA said the hike would a calculated attempt by government to undermine freedom of expression and limit youth participation in governance. While the NCC denied reported planned hike, mobile network operators (MNOs) had disclosed that they initially asked for 100 per cent tariff hike, which, according to them, they doubted if the telecoms regulator would approve because of the current situation in Nigeria.

HURIWA, in a statement, signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said tariff increase would affect phone calls, SMS, and data bundles, saying it came at a time when inflation was soaring at 39.93 per cent and Nigerians were already grappling with severe economic hardships.

HURIWA viewed any decision for hike as not only insensitive but a direct affront to the enjoyment of expanded civic space and an effort to stifle the voices of young Nigerians, who rely on affordable telecommunications to engage in public discourse and hold leaders accountable.

The body asserted that government, having weaponised poverty to subdue the masses, was now leveraging exorbitant communication costs to muzzle the voices of Nigerian youths, saying that by making it increasingly difficult for young people to afford data and access social media platforms, the government appeared determined on limiting their capacity to exercise fundamental freedom of speech and expression.

“While governments in progressive nations are subsidising telecommunications to enhance connectivity and civic engagement, Nigeria is taking a regressive step by imposing heavy financial burdens on its citizens, particularly the youth,” HURIWA stated.

The association pointed out that affordable telecommunications was essential for youths to express themselves, participate in governance and access educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. The deliberate economic exclusion created by the hikes could deepen the digital divide and further marginalise millions of Nigerians.

HURIWA lamented that the tariff increase would significantly curtail the use of social media, a vital tool for civic engagement, accountability, and grassroots mobilisation. HURIWA urged government to embrace digital inclusion as a cornerstone of national development.